Chapter 180 - Letter of Divorce II (1/2)

At this moment, Old Mr Xiao and all the other family members were gathering in Ye Xiaoxian’s house. As usual, Old Mr Xiao scolded Li Hongmei at once. “I told you that you should stay in our village and do farming, but you didn’t listen to me. You came here and ran a restaurant, causing a lot of trouble. If you had done what I said, Baoshan wouldn’t have left us.”

Li Hongmei replied, “It’s not our fault! Do you think I’m not sad about his leaving?”

“You women are so short-sighted. Don’t think about money every day. If you would just stay in the village, nothing bad would happen.”

Li Hongmei felt wronged by his loud rebuke, but she didn’t want to argue with him.

Wong Mudan and Chen Ju didn’t speak for her, because what the old man had said was just what they wanted to say. Although they sympathized with her, they hadn’t forgiven her for living a better life before.

Fortunately, Xiao Baofeng interrupted in time to save his mother from embarra.s.sment. He asked his grandfather whether he was healthy and whether he slept and ate well.

Old Mr Xiao soon turned his attention to his grandson. “Although Baoshan has gone, we still have you, my clever boy. Are you going to take the provincial-level examination? When you become a cultivated talent, you can then be a teacher in our village. Then, you can earn a lot of money and write couplets for our villagers at Spring Festival. Won’t that be a decent job?”

Xiao Tieshu said, “Dad, Baofeng will take the national examination after becoming a cultivated talent.”

The old man’s face suddenly fell. “National examination? There will only one winner! Don’t try to cross a single-plank bridge with so many people, or you will find yourself drowning in the river.”

Li Hongmei was angry at his words.

But Xiao Baofeng didn’t fuss about his grandfather’s words. He only trusted what Ye Xiaoxian had suggested about his career.

While Ye Xiaoxian was busy cooking in the kitchen, she heard everything from outside. But she didn’t bother to join the conversation and just focused on her own business.

Indeed, these relatives were loose-lipped and easily jealous, making conflicts unavoidable in this family. But after experiencing so much together, they had become kinder and more caring. There was no need to quarrel with them now.

After cooking the supper, Ye Xiaoxian said with enthusiasm, “Dinner’s ready! Grandpa, uncles, please sit down first. Kids, help your Sister Li serve the dishes. Baofeng, could you help me set the table?”

The dinner soon began with the adults around one table and the children around another. Since Xiao Baofeng was the special guest at this feast, he also joined the adults.

On the table were a variety of dishes, including meat, fish and vegetables. It was just like a small banquet. The delicious dishes made all their mouths water. Following the lead of Old Mr Xiao, they picked up their chopsticks and began eating.

“Little Ye, the dishes you made taste so excellent,” said Xiao Tieshu.

“It’s such a pity that the restaurant was closed, or the business might have become even better,” Xiao Tongshu echoed.

However, Wong Mudan and Chen Ju did not agree with them. Wong Mudan said, “We’ve failed in this business. How can we make the same mistake again? Things were miserable when Baoshan was at home. Now he’s gone; no one can protect our sister and Little Ye anymore. It’s safer to keep running this snack stall, which won’t cause jealousy. Trouble will find you once you’re envied.”

Chen Ju nodded in agreement. After all, when Li Hongmei was earning so much by running the restaurant, they had racked their brains to s.h.i.+rk their responsibility to take care of Old Mr Xiao.

Li Hongmei said, “I support Little Ye no matter what she wants to do. She’s much cleverer than me. We’re depending on her now.”